Helping Women Writers & Entrepreneurs Write Their Truth

6 Misconceptions About Writer’s Block

There are many misconceptions about writer’s block floating around. And if you don’t know better, some of them can worry you.

I’m here to tell you there is nothing to fear.

As long as you are aware of these misconceptions, you can avoid writer’s block and keep moving forward to your goals of being a great writer.

At one point in my career, I couldn’t write.

No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn’t bring myself to put pen to paper. It also didn’t help that I didn’t know what was going on.

At first, I thought it was the infamous Writer’s Block that everyone talks about. So I figured, I would let it run its course and eventually it would go away.

Wrong!

My “Writer’s Block” lasted several years and cost me multiple career advancement opportunities. And the longer the block lasted, the worse I felt about it.

Eventually, I made up my mind that I was going to get through it hook or crook. I would figure things out, or I could forget about becoming a writer altogether.

As I went through the stages of finding my writer’s voice and whatnot, I came to understand what writer’s block actually is and some common misconceptions that go with it.

Misconception #1: Writer’s Block Is A Real Thing

That’s right everybody; writer’s block is NOT a real thing. However, the idea of writer’s block is very real.

Let’s think about this logically.

If you go to your doctor and are in need of a procedure, will you accept that he has doctor’s block?

Sounds pretty farfetched that a doctor would try to use such an excuse. He may not have a job after that honestly.

Let’s try another one.

If you send your children to school and they came home with a note saying, “No school today due to teacher’s block.”

If you’re like me, you would have a complete fit if you read that note.

Writer’s Block is an excuse that we tell ourselves when there is something else lurking under the surface. It’s a coping mechanism.

The average writer spends a lot of time alone and some of us can’t mentally handle it as well as others. So we hide behind writer’s block in order to escape the responsibility that comes with creating characters, worlds, and situations that haven’t been created before.

Trust me when I tell you, writer’s block is NOT a real thing.

Misconception #2: All Writer’s Go Through Writer’s Block

Nope. All writers DO NOT go through writer’s block.

While there are many who have dealt with the elusive writer’s block, those who are aware of the difficulties of writing don’t allow themselves to utter the words. They know whatever problems they are having with their writing is coming from within themselves and they take the necessary steps to get past it.

The writers who claim to have writer’s block are the ones that have allowed themselves to be entranced with the idea of getting out of work.

Those writers who have made writing their career and must write to eat, know that claiming to have writer’s block is NOT going to put food on the table.

The more serious a writer is about their work, the less likely you are to ever hear that they flirt with the idea of writer’s block.

For that reason, all writer’s DO NOT get writer’s block.

Misconception #3: Writer’s Block Will Pass If You Do Nothing

Wrong again.

While writer’s block isn’t a thing, whatever is keeping you from accomplishing your goals is.

If you do nothing, the thing that’s in your way will gain traction and permanently take you out of the game of writing.

You must be willing to admit that something is going on in your life or in your mind that is distracting you to such a degree that it’s keeping you from writing.

The more willing you are to explore the possibilities that there is something under the surface, the more likely you are to jump out of your funk unscathed.

However, the longer you avoid the truth of your problems, the worse it will become.

So know this, writer’s block will NOT pass if you do nothing about it.

Misconception #4: Writer’s Block Controls What & When You Write

Who in the world told you this lie?

Like the famous poem, Invictus by William Ernest Henley states, “You are the captain of your soul.”

Nothing controls your writing except you.

You cannot possibly allow your insecurities to control when you write and what you write.

I mean, who does that?

Please understand, writer’s block is a frame of mind. There’s something more sinister under the surface that you need to address and quickly.

If the thing that is keeping you from writing is also controlling when and what you write, it may be time to bring in outside forces. No one’s gonna judge you.

Believe me, you decide when and what you write. The moment you allow underlying things to effect you so much it’s forcing your hand, you are already defeated. And you don’t want to be defeated, you want to be a writer. Right?

So let’s remember, writer’s block CANNOT control what and when you write.

Misconception #5: You’re All Alone With Writer’s Block

While all writers don’t have writer’s block or even admit that it exists, there are plenty of people who understand what you may be going through.

Don’t hide in the corner away from the rest of the world because you feel embarrassed, ashamed, silly, or weird.

Once again, writer’s block isn’t real but the idea of it has stopped many writers in their tracks.

Your best bet it to be aware of what you’re feeling and take the opportunity to find others who may feel the same. In your similarities, you may find the necessary Ah Ha moment that will get you out of your funk.

Never feel like you’re in a world all your own because there will always be someone who knows exactly what is going on with you and is willing to help.

By all means, you’re NEVER alone with writer’s block.

Misconception #6: You Can’t Overcome Writer’s Block

Plain and simple, you can overcome anything that comes your way.

Writer’s block is nothing more than a fancy way of saying I need help, in one way or another. And as writers, we are more susceptible to feeling the stress, insecurity, and fear of it all.

Writers spend the majority of their time putting themselves out there to the rest of the world. Each word they write has a possibility of being scrutinized or praised at any given time. For some, that in itself is a very scary existence.